50 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
can possibly collect in and lodge there. Gentle pressure 
should be used to squeeze the whole of the matter out. 
After this nothing more will be required except to keep it 
clean and occasionally fomented with warm water. If taken 
at an early stage of the disease, what we have recommended 
will generally effect a cure. 
On the other hand, should the ulcer spread and deepen 
and affect the ligaments of the vertebras of the neck, the 
edges of the wound must be stimulated by nitrate of silver 
or caustic, to induce a healthy action into the muscular fibre, 
and excite it to granulate. When the interior of the abscess 
has assumed a callous appearance, it may be necessary to 
syringe it out with a very weak solution of nitrate of silver 
mixed with rose-water. Should this not have the effect of 
inducing a healthy condition, then it will be necessary to 
have the services of a regular veterinary surgeon. 
It is sometimes requisite to divide the ligament which 
passes over the occipital bone, in order to expose the interior 
of the abscess to the action of caustic applications. But 
no danger to the horse will result from this, as perfect 
re-union of the divided ends of the ligament will take place 
in two or three days. 
The cord used as a seton should be wet with the following 
mixture :— 
Corrosive sublimate . . A drachm, 
Spirit of wine . . 2 ounces. 
The cord should be cut off and united at both ends by 
wrapping a thread round it, and pulled round several times 
during the twenty-four hours, taking care to wipe the part 
which has been in the abscess, and also to wet the por¬ 
tion which is to remain in it for a time, with the above 
solution. 
